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Meet Gensmo, an AI Stylist With a Playful Edge

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Thirty years after “Clueless” imaged a digital closet, artificial intelligence is ready to deliver that vision, this time for the masses.

AI agents — autonomous systems that perform tasks for users — are still nascent in fashion, but the technology is fast gaining traction and could redefine how consumers shop fashion online.

One of the newest entrants is Gensmo, a start-up that layers best-in-class AI models with proprietary technology to deliver shoppable outfit suggestions in seconds.

Founded last December by Chinese tech entrepreneur Ning Hu, an Alibaba and Google alum, the U.S.-based start-up now operates with teams across New York, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Seattle.

In June, Gensmo closed a $60 million seed round, one of the largest early-stage bets in fashion AI to date. The company did not disclose its investors.

“We came into the fashion category thinking people want very personal advice, but not everyone has access to it,” said Hu in an exclusive interview.

“Just look on Reddit — users are frustrated by even the most basic fashion questions. That’s why we are here, we want to use AI’s accessibility to help everday shoppers gain confidence in what they wear,” said Hu.

“AI has finally started to really understand human beings. That means it has the potential to become our go-to fashion friend; as it gets to know you better, it will generate solutions that are highly individualized,” said Hu.

Ning Hu

Courtesy

A former group vice president at Alibaba, Hu realized that marketplace e-commerce platforms have turned into robust machines that favor big advertising spenders rather than catering to real consumer needs.

“There’s an inherent limitation to how much you can change the original e-commerce search process. That’s why we decided to build an end-to-end solution from ground up to better serve the consumer,” said Hu.

“AI is rewriting the rules of e-commerce; it will also democratize fashion e-commerce, giving small brands the tools to reach their customer base much more efficiently — most of these small businesses rely on niche communities, and AI can help them carve out a more individualized conversion funnel to match,” Hu added.

Pulling from luxury e-commerce platforms to niche designer sites alike, Gensmo has a growing catalogue of over 100 million shoppable items. The company currently doesn’t take commission on sales; users will have to check-out on a third-party platform.

An intriguing feature on Gensmo is Vibe Imagine, which drapes the outfitted look on a realistic AI avatar of the user — in an editorial setting, be it unsettling — an aesthetic often linked to the current iteration of AI photography — or fascinating.

A look generated by Gensmo’s “Vibe Imagine” feature.

Users are encouraged to share the image on social media, which adds a layer of gamified entertainment to the consumer journey.

For Gensmo, the more users play with its various tools, the more data sets are available for the company to understand the link between an item of clothing, or several, with the user’s specific mood or desires.

In one of its promotional videos, a user uses Gensmo to snap a picture of French Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” and is given an outfit idea — within five seconds — that incorporates the masterpiece’s color palette.

Gensmo is also hoping its content-driven experience will set it apart from its host of competitors, including Daydream, Alta, and Google‘s Doppl.

Apart from start-ups, established retailers, such as the German e-commerce player Zalando and the resale platform Mercari, have already released similar AI agent products, making the space increasingly competitive.

Based on a Polaris Market Research report in December, the global virtual shopping assistant market will balloon to $6.9 billion by 2032 from $516 million in 2022. Regionally, North America will “have the fastest growth due to advancements in AI and natural language processing technologies,” it said.

So far, Gensmo has racked up over 500,000 registered users, with over 70 percent falling into the Gen Z and young Millennials bracket.

“A lot of them are high school or college students. They may be interested in fashion, but feel that neither Instagram nor Pinterest truly gets them,” explained Hu.

For now, its bespoke styling feature still has a long way to go. Unlike traditional AI training, where right or wrong is easily quantifiable, Gensmo’s approach requires input from professional stylists and loyal users to shape the model’s performance.

The start-up has also begun feeding its AI model with brand stories and marketing materials to capture the nuances that shape consumer mindsets.

On the retail end, the start-up is in talks with a few apparel retailers to try out its virtual try-on feature in stores; its speedy image-generating feature also lends itself to Gensmo’s sister app Decofy, which provides interior design ideas with shoppable furnitures and home goods.

For Hu, what AI can ultimately achieve is to offer a decentralized e-commerce experience in an increasingly decentralized world.

“From glossy magazines, to Instagram, and now TikTok, what remains constant is change, and change is speeding up the process of fashion democratization — fashion has become a popular lifestyle, but not everyone has the tools or know-how to find what suits them,” said Hu.

“A decentralized online world calls for an intelligent online shopping experience, and we are here to cater to true individuality — not everyone’s Kate Moss,” said Hu.



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AI Agents, Edge Computing, and Chip Resilience

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As the technology sector hurtles into 2025, industry leaders are grappling with a convergence of artificial intelligence advancements that promise to redefine enterprise operations and consumer experiences alike. Cloud computing giants, long the backbone of AI development, are shifting from subsidizing infrastructure to aggressive monetization strategies. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are poised to capitalize on their vast data centers, charging premium rates for AI training and deployment services that have until now been offered at a loss to attract developers. This pivot, as highlighted in investor analyses shared on X, could generate billions in new revenue streams while pressuring smaller players to innovate or consolidate.

Meanwhile, the rise of digital banks underscores a broader fintech evolution, where AI-driven personalization and seamless transactions are becoming table stakes. These institutions are rapidly expanding their market share by leveraging machine learning for fraud detection and customer insights, outpacing traditional lenders in agility and cost efficiency. Posts on X from financial experts suggest that this trend will accelerate global adoption, particularly in emerging markets where mobile banking dominates.

Agentic AI Emerges as the Core Disruptor in Enterprise Strategy

Agentic AI, characterized by autonomous systems capable of independent decision-making with minimal human oversight, is emerging as a pivotal force in 2025’s tech ecosystem. According to a recent report from McKinsey, these intelligent agents are set to transform complex problem-solving in sectors like manufacturing and logistics, enabling real-time adaptations that boost efficiency by up to 30%. The report emphasizes how agentic models integrate with existing workflows, reducing latency and human error in high-stakes environments.

This innovation extends beyond theory, with practical applications in decentralized finance (DeFi) where AI agents could automate trading and risk assessment, potentially creating billion-dollar market caps for specialized protocols. Insights from crypto analysts on X point to a fusion of AI and blockchain that might spark the next wave of financial innovation, though such predictions remain speculative amid regulatory uncertainties.

The Intersection of AI and Edge Computing Redefines Real-Time Processing

Edge computing’s marriage with AI is another cornerstone of 2025 trends, promising to shift data processing from centralized clouds to device-level operations for faster, more secure outcomes. As detailed in posts from tech firms like Icetea Software on X, this synergy enables real-time decision-making in industries such as autonomous vehicles and smart manufacturing, where reduced latency is critical. For instance, combining AI with edge tech could cut response times in IoT networks by half, facilitating applications from predictive maintenance to personalized retail experiences.

Sustainability also plays a key role here, as businesses integrate AI to optimize energy use in data-heavy operations. McKinsey’s outlook, echoed in various X discussions, notes that companies investing in these trends—such as Tesla in electric vehicles and Amazon in cloud services— are seeing accelerated revenue growth and market dominance, with innovation management becoming a differentiator for long-term success.

Multimodal AI and Domestic Silicon Push Boundaries of Accessibility

Advancements in multimodal AI, which processes text, images, and audio simultaneously, are expanding the technology’s reach into strategic planning and creative fields. X posts from AI news channels like SA News Channel highlight integrations with 5G and blockchain that enhance AI’s role in multilingual generative tasks, making tools more inclusive for global users. This could democratize access to sophisticated AI, though challenges in data privacy persist.

On the hardware front, a ramp-up in domestic semiconductor production, particularly from firms like Huawei, is anticipated to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks. Reports shared on X suggest shipments of hundreds of thousands of advanced chips in 2025, bolstering AI infrastructure amid geopolitical tensions. This development, as analyzed in McKinsey’s trends report, underscores the need for enterprises to adapt swiftly to these shifts or risk obsolescence.

AI in DeFi and On-Chain Transformations Signal Broader Economic Shifts

The transformation of DeFi through AI agents represents a speculative yet potent trend, with on-chain trading evolving into automated, agent-driven ecosystems. Crypto influencers on X, such as Miles Deutscher, forecast multiple agents achieving billion-dollar valuations, driven by enhanced efficiency in decentralized markets. This could reshape investment landscapes, though volatility and regulatory hurdles temper enthusiasm.

Broader business innovation management, fueled by AI and digital transformation, is yielding tangible benefits like improved customer satisfaction and market share. Examples from Amazon’s cloud dominance and Tesla’s EV revolution, as cited in SA News Channel posts on X, illustrate how these trends are not isolated but interconnected, paving the way for a more resilient tech economy in 2025.

In summary, while these trends offer immense potential, industry insiders must navigate ethical considerations and integration challenges to fully harness them. As cloud monetization ramps up and agentic systems proliferate, the tech sector’s trajectory appears set for unprecedented growth, contingent on adaptive strategies and collaborative innovation.



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Is AI Threatening Your Job Security? Tips to Safeguard Your Career in the Age of Automation

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Key Takeaways

  • AI is rapidly automating roles in customer service, data entry, programming, content creation, and analysis-heavy jobs across finance, law, and medicine.
  • The most at-risk jobs are those with repetitive, rules-based, or entry-level tasks.
  • Human-centric skills like judgment, empathy, and creativity remain in demand.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace faster than most people realize. What started with automating back-office tasks and customer service roles has now expanded into programming, legal research, financial analysis, and even creative fields such as writing and design. Experts predict that by 2030, up to 30% of U.S. jobs could be automated, with as many as 300 million jobs globally at risk because of AI and related technologies.

As AI tools become smarter and more accessible, the line between human and machine work is blurring—and the pressure to adapt is mounting. If you’ve noticed your workflow getting “smarter” or your company talking more about efficiency than expertise, you’re not imagining things. The age of AI-driven disruption has arrived, and it’s rewriting the rules of the workplace worldwide.

Which Jobs Are Most At Risk from AI?

The first wave of AI automation swept through customer service, data entry, and routine administrative work, said Dima Gutzeit, CEO of LeapXpert, a New York-based tech vendor that provides modern business communication tools with AI capabilities.

Now, he said, even roles in software development, content creation, finance, law, and medicine are being reshaped by code-writing engines, AI copywriters, and data-crunching models. Entry-level and repetitive positions are especially vulnerable, as AI excels at handling foundational tasks that once helped early-career professionals gain a foothold.

A June 2025 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas argued that most claims for what AI will do are “speculative” at this point. Indeed, many—including the World Economic Forum—have argued that the jobs AI produces will far outnumber those it renders redundant—170 million versus 90 million, respectively.

Nevertheless, the jobs most at risk from language-modeling AI include clerks, administrative assistants, and certain teaching positions. The telltale signs your job could be next? Your daily workflow starts to feel more software-driven, tools gain “AI-powered” features, and management talks about “co-pilots” and “automated insights.” If your responsibilities are becoming more about overseeing software than applying your unique skills, it’s time to take action.

While AI is rapidly transforming the workplace, experts agree that the best way to stay relevant is to focus on the qualities that make us uniquely human.

Here are some strategies to avoid being replaced by AI:

1. Demonstrate Your Humanity

AI can process data, but it can’t replicate judgment, empathy, or ethical decision-making. “What sets you apart isn’t your ability to process data—it’s your ability to interpret it, communicate it, and act on it,” Gutzeit told Investopedia. Employers are increasingly valuing creativity and abilities that remain stubbornly human, like relationship-building and nuanced communication.

2. Become an AI Power User

Don’t just fear the new tools, master them. Learn how to use AI platforms relevant to your field, from prompt engineering in content creation to AI-driven analytics in finance. The fastest learners today will be tomorrow’s leaders. Experiment with AI, critique its output, and figure out how to make it work for you.

3. Automate the Repetitive, Focus on the Unique

Identify the mechanical parts of your job and automate them, freeing up time for higher-value work.

“Strip the mechanical from your day so you can invest in the interpersonal-relationships, storytelling, negotiation,” Gutzeit said. The more you focus on tasks AI can’t do, the more secure your position becomes.

4. Upskill Continuously

Stay ahead by regularly updating your technical and soft skills. Pair AI literacy with human-centric strengths: Combine analytics with storytelling, or prompt engineering with leadership. The best opportunities will go to those who can bridge the gap between algorithmic speed and human nuance.

5. Watch Industry Trends and Pivot Early

Monitor which roles and industries are being automated, and be proactive about moving into areas where human expertise is still essential. Look for companies that use AI to amplify, and not replace, human value.

“Professionals who understand that partnership create more value than either humans or machines can deliver alone,” Gutzeit said.

The Bottom Line

AI isn’t just coming for your job; it’s already transforming the workforce. But the future belongs to those who adapt early, master new tools, and double down on the skills that make us human. It’s important to stay curious, proactive, and relentlessly focused on value. You can turn the AI revolution into an opportunity instead of a threat.



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Jared Kushner launches AI startup with top Israeli tech entrepreneur

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Coming to light after operating secretly since 2024, the company raised $30 million in a Series A round led by Kushner’s Affinity Partners and Gil’s Gil Capital, with backing from prominent investors like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Stripe founder Patrick Collison and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Brain Co. aims to bridge the gap between large language models like GPT-5 and their practical application in organizations.

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איוונקה וג'ראד קושנר

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner

(Photo: Paul Sancya, AP)

The venture began in February 2024 when Kushner, Gil, and former Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray met to address challenges large organizations face in integrating AI tools. Kushner, seeking to expand Affinity’s AI investments, connected with Gil, a former Google and Twitter executive turned venture capitalist, through his brother, Josh Kushner.

Videgaray, who met Kushner during Trump’s 2016 campaign, also joined. Brain Co. has secured deals with major clients like Sotheby’s, owned by Israeli-French businessman Patrick Drahi and Warburg Pincus, alongside government agencies, energy firms, healthcare systems and hospitality chains.

With 40 employees, Brain Co. collaborates with OpenAI to develop tailored applications. A recent MIT study cited by Forbes found that 95% of generative AI pilot programs failed in surveyed organizations, highlighting the gap Brain Co. targets.

CEO Clemens Mewald, a former AI expert at Google and Databricks, explained, “So far, we haven’t seen a reason to only double down on one sector. Actually, it turns out that at the technology level and the AI capability level, a lot of the use cases look very similar.”

He noted similarities between processing building permits and insurance claims, both requiring document analysis and rule-based recommendations, areas where Brain Co. is active.

Kushner, who founded Affinity Partners after leaving the White House, said, We’re living through a once-in-a-generation platform shift,” Kushner said in a press release. “After speaking with Elad, we realized we could build a bridge between Silicon Valley’s best AI talent and the world’s most important institutions to drive global impact.”

Affinity manages over $4.8 billion, primarily from Saudi, Qatari and UAE funds. In September 2024, Brain Co. acquired Serene AI, bringing in experienced founders. While Kushner will serve as an active board member, Gil said he will primarily operate through Affinity.





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